Holy Mace taken to Sharika Bhawani temple
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 29: As Shri Amarnath Ji yatra resumed from the traditional Pahalgam route today and remained suspended for the second consecutive day from the shortest Baltal route due to inclement weather and slippery track, over 2800 pilgrims performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Lingam in cave shrine of Baba Amarnath in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
Meanwhile, the holy mace of Lord Shiva was taken to ancient Sharika Bhawani temple in Hari Parvat, Srinagar by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj and Sadhus from its abode Dashnami Akhara today for traditional Puja.
Officials said the fresh batches of pilgrims proceeded on foot and ponies from the traditional Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam towards the holy cave shrine of Amarnath via Chandanwari and Panchtarni halting points in South Kashmir amid cloudy weather conditions to pay obeisance there.
No pilgrim was allowed to proceed from shortest Baltal route via Dumail to cave shrine of Amarnath for the second consecutive day today amid inclement weather, drizzling and slippery road conditions. The chopper service was also suspended from Baltal route today as it was raining in the upper reaches presently, they said.
Kashmir weather, an independent weather observatory, forecast rain possibility of rain showers between afternoon and evening. However, the intensity will remain on the lower side, compared to the last 5 days. Click here to watch video
The officials said that 2889 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country performed darshan of Ice Lingam at holy cave by this evening from Panchtarni track while no yatri was allowed to visit holy cave from Baltal track due to slippery track.
With this the total number of yatris performing darshan at holy cave during last 30 days of yatra which started on June 30 this year has touched 2,74,940. It may be recalled that 2,72,051 pilgrims had performed darshan at cave shrine by yesterday evening.
The yesterday’s batch of 1602 pilgrims who were not staying at Yatri Niwas Chanderkot also left for their respective base camps today after the opening of NH today. A fresh batch of 850 pilgrims left from here to holy cave under tight security arrangements this morning.
The Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji was taken to ancient ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, Hari Parvat, Srinagar today to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada’, as per the age-old traditions. Sizable number of Sadhus and devotees participated in the prayers that lasted for about 90 minutes.
Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’, amongst the mystics, is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (Presiding Deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (Holy Rock) at Hari-Parvat.
The holy mace and Sadhus were received by president Shri Jagatamba Sharika Chakreshwar Sanstha Randip Gorkha and his other team. They also participated in the Puja and religious rituals. The Sadhus led by Mahant Ji prayed for peace in J&K and rest of nation.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony will be performed on July 31 at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ will be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on August 2.
Chhari-Mubarak will leave on August 7 for holy shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 13500 feet in South Kashmir from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for main course of pilgrimage. It will enroute pay obeisance at temples of Bijbehara, Anantnag, Mattan and Ganeshpora. The traditional Pujan and rituals shall be performed on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on August, 12 this year.
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